Guide For Preventing And Responsible to Workplace Bullying

June 12, 2024    litigation lawyers
Guide For Preventing And Responsible to Workplace Bullying

Have you felt like a target at work? Maybe you feel that your boss criticises you unfairly or sets impossible deadlines. If this is the case, you may be experiencing bullying. This is not something to be taken lightly. It can have a serious impact on your mental and physical health. If you are going through such situations, it is advisable to contact a workplace harassment lawyer.

In this blog, we will explore this behavior more and how a professional can help you in such situations. So, let’s continue reading to find out.

What is workplace bullying?

It is defined as a behavior that is repeated unreasonably towards an individual or a group of workers. It creates a risk to the health and safety of the victims. It can be intimidating, threatening, or humiliating in nature. The types of workplace harassment include but are not limited to the following examples:

  • Using abusive comments or language against a worker.
  • Unjustified criticism or complaints against an employee.
  • Deliberately excluding the worker from workplace activities.
  • Not providing information that is necessary for work performance.
  • Continuously changing deadlines or setting unreasonable deadlines.
  • Changing work arrangements to deliberately cause inconvenience to the worker.

Denying access to supervision or consultant to an extent where the employee’s performance is hampered.
Spreading rumors and misinformation against someone.

A single instance is not considered as workplace bullying. However, it has the potential to escalate and must not be ignored completely. Apart from this, if the behavior involves violence, it must be reported to the police. For example, it may be a threat or a direct physical assault. If you are facing such problems, you can connect with a civil litigation lawyer in Perth.

What is not considered workplace bullying?

When a reasonable management action is taken, it is not considered bullying. Supervisors can allocate work and give fair feedback on the employee’s performance. These are carried out lawfully and must not be considered as intimidation.

Some examples of reasonable management action are stated below:

  • Allocating working hours when requirements are necessary.
  • Setting reasonable performance goals and standards for the employee.
  • Transferring a worker for valid reasons.
  • Deciding the increment or promotion of a worker unbiasedly based on their work performance.
  • Providing feedback to a worker in an objective and confidential way.
  • Taking disciplinary action such as suspension and termination of employment based on valid grounds.

Apart from these, sexual harassment or discrimination is not considered bullying. The former is associated with unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature. It can also be requested for a sexual favor. The latter happens when someone is treated less favorably based on their ethnic origin or particular characteristics. For example, hiring or promoting a woman because she is pregnant would be termed as discrimination. Both of these are unlawful, and the WHS Act includes protections against such conduct.

How can workplace bullying happen?

It can be carried out in various ways, such as in person or online. It can be conducted via emails, social media, or internet chat rooms.

It can be directed at a single or a group of workers and can be carried out by one or more employees. It can happen in the following ways:

  • Sideways: Between workers
  • Downwards: The management can bully the employees
  • Upwards: Alternatively, the workers can harass the supervisors or managers.
  • Apart from this, such behavior can also be directed at clients, students, and more.
  • Impact of workplace bullying

It can be harmful to the person experiencing it and the ones witnessing it. It can cause multiple mental or physical illnesses. It directly affects the work performance and loss of self-esteem in the employee. After a certain period of time, the worker can even have thoughts of suicide.

Apart from this, the company also suffers from a high staff turnover rate, which leads to a loss of productivity. The organization can also face costly workers’ compensation and legal claims.

Summary

Workplace bullying is a serious issue in Australia. By understanding the rights and resources available, you can empower yourself to create a safer work environment. The Litigation lawyers can provide you with the right assistance to pursue your case. They can guide you in the best way to handle investigations in your workplace. Apart from this, they will also educate you on internal procedures for grievances and help you make legal claims related to bullying.

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